by Anne Marie
While Turner Classic Movies is typically known for celebrating film history, today TCM made history. Carl Reiner and Rob Reiner, writer/director/actor/producer quadruple threats whose career includes Sid Caesar's Show of Shows, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Russians are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, The Princess Bride and This Is Spinal Tap, were the first father/son duo to be immortalized in the Chinese Theater handprint ceremony. Before the two cemented their legacy next to Marilyn Monroe, Al Pacino, and Trigger the Horse, friends and colleagues from their cumulative 135 year long careers paid tribute to two of the funniest men in Hollywood...
Billy Crystal, Ben Mankiewicz, Tom Bergeron and Norman Lear were in attendance during the balmy TCMFF event. Billy Crystal remembered the first time he met Carl Reiner, at a comedy show in 1976 long after the elder comedian had already established himself on TV and film. Reiner very politely introduced himself, after which Crystal couldn't help quipping, "And what do you do?" By chance, Crystal met the younger Reiner only a few weeks later, during a guest starring role on All In The Family playing Rob Reiner's best friend. Crystal cited their long partnership on classics including When Harry Met Sally when he that Rob Reiner's best friend was a role he'd been happy to play for almost 45 years.
Next, father and son got onstage. "I've know this guy for all of his life!" joked Carl Reiner as he hugged Rob. After the quick quips had been traded, their mutual love and respect for each other emerged. Just like the proud father he is, Carl Reiner made sure to tell the assembled fans and guests that his son's film The Princess Bride is one of his top 3 favorite films. Rob Reiner then took the mic to tell the story of how he'd tried to change his name when he was little. His father, worried that Rob was struggling under his shadow, asked his son what he wanted to change his name to. Rob's reply: "Carl Reiner."
After sharing a few more inappropriate stories, Carl and Rob Reiner signed their names as they'd shared their careers: together. While the crowd of TCM fans has since dispersed, the Reiner pair's legacy is etched in something like stone for the next 135 years.